Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy discuss legacy ahead of Open: 'we're all going to die'
There's nothing like the big final of the golf calendar to turn the world's best players into philosophers. Especially when that big tournament is the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where the driest course is expected to lead to tougher fairways and tougher conditions.
Heading into this week's tournament, the defending Golfer of the Year Champion is world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who has had a tough season at his best, including a stunning cut at the Genesis Scottish Open last week. But before Scheffler won last year's championship at Royal Portrush, he famously said “What's the point of it all?” when discussing what winning and field success means to win.
Well, something about the UK must have made Scheffler introspective, because he's at it again this year. When asked about those comments and whether he was playing for his legacy or history, Scheffler couldn't resist cracking a “bad” joke about it.
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Scottie Scheffler of the United States is interviewed on the ninth hole during the Heroes Classic prior to the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, on July 14, 2026. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
“To be completely honest, not really. I don't really play, like, a place in history,” he said. “I don't play anything like that because, this thing will sound ridiculous, at the end of the day, I'm going to live my life, and it's going to end. When it ends, I'm going to go somewhere else, and I'm not going to be here anymore.
“Is that going to be a quote after last year's 'What's the point'? (That) this year (will be) 'We're all going to die'?” he added with a smile.
Yes, Scottie, that will be this year's quote.
RORY MCILROY EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCE OF FEELINGS HE HAS FOLLOWED BY EACH OF HIS SUCCESSIVE CHIEFS.
Rory McIlroy had similar sentiments when asked about his thoughts on the legacy and what he hopes people will think of him.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks across the ninth green during a practice session before the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. (Warren Little/Getty Images)
“I don't really care,” he said. “I'd like to think that people who love and care about me think a certain way about me, but yeah, I'll be long gone. I'll be dead. I don't think I'll be seeing what people say about me. I'll be six feet under. I don't think I'll be a ghost. I don't think I'll be, you know, like…yeah, I don't care.”
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Two of the best players in the world are talking about death before the main event of the tournament. Just what we all expected. And to be fair, they are both right. Legacy and history are for others to decide, and worrying about it during tournaments can affect their ability to lock in from one shot to the next. Golfers in particular must be able to hit their last shot and move on to the next one. Concerns about their place in history do not lend themselves to that logic.
Scottie Scheffler, left, and Rory McIlroy lead the two marquee teams in the opening round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. (Getty Images)
Jordan Spieth won The Open by three shots at 12 in 2017, the last time the tournament was held at Royal Birkdale, although the score may be much lower this coming weekend. Yes, the course is tough, and will force players to make tough decisions, but conditions are expected to be mild with temperatures in the mid-60's, no rain, and mostly light wind.
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Although at the end of the day, what difference does it make, because we're all going to die anyway?
